Quasi-statically oriented, bi-directional tape recording head

An apparatus, comprising:

• a magnetic head, the magnetic head having:
• a first array of data transducers;
• a second array of data transducers spaced from the first array;
• a third array of data transducers positioned between the first and second arrays;
• and
• a controller physically configured to determine a state of expansion of a tape based on a readback signal from the tape,
• the controller physically configured to determine skew of the tape based on the readback signal from the tape,
• the controller being physically configured to control a mechanism for positioning the magnetic head based on the state of expansion of the tape and the skew of the tape,
• the magnetic head being positionable between a first position and a second position,
• wherein a longitudinal axis of the third array has a negative angle relative to a line oriented perpendicular to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross when the magnetic head is in the first position,
• wherein the longitudinal axis of the third array has a positive angle relative to the line oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross when the magnetic head is in the second position,
• wherein outer data transducers of the third array are about aligned with outer data transducers of the second array when the magnetic head is positioned towards the first position;
• wherein the outer data transducers of the third array are about aligned with outer data transducers of the first array when the magnetic head is positioned towards the second position,
• wherein at least one of:
• the first array, the second array and the third array, includes at least one chiplet,
• wherein the at least one chiplet includes at least one of:
• a read transducer and a write transducer,
• wherein a resting position of the third array is offset relative to a resting position of the first and second arrays in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the third array,
• wherein the position of the third array relative to the position of the first and second arrays is selectively adjustable in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the third array,
• wherein transducers of a leading array are active during operation,
• wherein transducers of a trailing array are not active during operation,
• wherein the first, second and third arrays are rotatably fixed relative to each other such that longitudinal axes of the first, second and third arrays are oriented about parallel to each other,
• wherein the first array is positioned on a first module,
• wherein the second array is positioned on a second module,
• wherein the third array is positioned on a third module,
• wherein a width of the first, second and third arrays parallel to the respective longitudinal axis of the array thereof is greater than a width of magnetic tape,
• wherein the first, second and third modules are arranged in at least one of:
• a fly over configuration, an overwrap configuration and a tangential configuration,
• wherein the first, second and third arrays include servo readers.